Peshawar's Sikhs are helping Muslims break their fast

It was the first day of the month of Ramazan. The sun had only just begun to dip, when Saheb Singh decided to wrap up work early, two hours before the closing time of his medical store in Peshawar’s Dabgari Garden. 

Locking the cash counter, he dimmed the lights. Then, he pushed a small table to the entrance of the store and placed two buckets on top of it, one filled with homemade lassi and one with milk shake. A few minutes later, it was time. The Muslims, his neighbours, his friends, and acquaintances were returning home, for their fast-breaking meal. On their way was Singh’s makeshift kiosk ready with a small but refreshing offering for the thirsty.

Holding a bowl in one hand and an ice bucket in another he would gesture to passerbys to open their iftar with him. Soon, a long queue formed outside his stall.

Singh is a devout Sikh. Back in 2001, when Peshawar’s summers were not too harsh during Ramazan, he would set up a fast food stall and offer free meals.

At other times, during Rabi-al-Awwal and Muharam he would distribute food and drinks to the Muslim families. “There is no political motive here,” he tells Geo.tv, “I respect the concept of Ramazan.” Every year, towards the end of the holy month, he also arranges an iftar celebration for over 200 people.

His stall and its contents have cost him Rs10,000, which he paid out of his own pocket.

Ubaid-ur-Rehman, a resident of Peshawar, is touched by Singh’s selfless act. “He is not just sharing food and drinks with us, he is sharing his happiness with us,” Rehman says, “It doesn’t matter what religion we both belong to, he is our brother.”

Inspired from Singh, this year, more people of the Sikh community in Peshawar have gotten together to arrange an iftari celebration at their Kalli Bari temple. “This is a sign of pluralistic society,” says Rehman.